IDEAS FOR INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1932, Page 5

IDEAS FOR INDUSTRY.

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH.

NEW ZEALAND'S PART.

CO-OPERATION ESSENTIAL.

New Zealand lias made considerablo progress in linking lip with researcli activities in other portions of the Empire, and it would be unfortunate if such links were broken, said Dr. E. Marsden, director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in an address last evening at the Empire Marketing Board's poster exhibition in the Town Hall.

Unless there was world co-operation in research and inventions an industrial stagnation would develop, continued Dr. Marsden, and the situation would be worse than the present world-wide industrial depression. At the present time it was probable that hidden away in the laboratories of large industrial firms was secret information, which would solve most of the present problems in cheese marketing. Also the bacteriological departments of the large margarine concerns were guarding secrets for the preparation of butter, which would meet the varying conditions of marketing. Results Must Be Made Public. "Fortunately for the world's progress there has been little tendency so far," Dr. Marsden said, ''to discourage the free interchange of ideas and results of researcli in the fundamental scientific principles. Owing to the fact that the idea of scientific research originated in our universities, the whole tradition of scientific work and training tends toward full and frank co-operation in research and the early publication of results, and it will be a sorry state of affairs if this principle is interfered with owing to nationalism or national rivalries."

He stated that New Zealand had waited for Britain to set the pace in research matters, and Britain had been backward. Also, the university organisation in the Dominion had not encouraged research. A further factor was New Zealand's exploitation of her natural resources in the past thirty years, without the need of research. The Dominion needed full co-operation with the work overseas and qualified men, working on the problems in New Zealand, who should be able to understand the (significance of the results obtained elsewhere and adapt them to Jocal requirements. Great assistance had been given to New Zealand by the Empire Marketing Board, which, being free from political considerations, had been able to take a j broad view of the question of Empire j trade. Through the help of the board many industries in New Zealand had been able to link up with similar industries elsewhere for sharing in the results of research. Should Reorganise Industry. Inclustry in New Zealand must be reorganised on a new basis, Dr. Marsden said in an address on national planning to the Auckland Rotary Club. He considered that the present sore trouble of the world, which had long been coming upon it owing to the unconsidered action of all nations, would not be without its compensation if the people were led to probe its causes and reorganise their operations upon considered lines. They must endeavour to be constructive in their ideas and to throw off a little of I their reserve in venturing to express them, to think a little more of the affairs of State. Only by exchanging and integrating ideas could they get down to a basis for action. And action was essential.

Dr. Marsdcn said that action was necessary to inspire public confidence and to keep the people working usefxilly. There was an urgent need of experts to guido industry and to correct faults in production and marketing. It appeared at present that New Zealand was in danger of sacrificing industry to finance, as Fiance had accused Britain of doing when she<Nvent back so soon to the gold standard.

New Zealand was in a serious position, but industry organised would assist in rejuvenating the Dominion's life. At the moment there was the question of the position of overseas markets. In the case of butter, Dr. Marsdcn believed that New Zealand was not watching its market adequately. Margarine, now a nourishing food with a proper vitamin content, was a more serious competitor than was perhaps realised. In this, New Zealand was confronted again by technical reasons. Margarine could be given flavour and texture to suit local requirements and had an immediate advantage. New Zealand might yet have to export a dry butter for preparation in England to suit local demands.

In cheese, too, New Zealand had to deal with tlie technical side in producing an article which could be adapted to the needs of the market where at present there were faults.